Fresh & Modern Thanksgiving Table Setting

Southern Living

Tasia Malakasis, one of the South's premier cheesemakers, gives her family's Alabama thanksgiving table a fresh and modern look.

Before Thanksgiving comes around this year and you go into autopilot creating your annual table, take a look at these fresh Thanksgiving table decoration ideas. They don’t require a pricey new set of china, instead these are small, but significant ideas to update your table. Using neutral, everyday dishware, let the Thanksgiving centerpiece make the statement on the table. Wheat sheaves paired with lower, fall-colored flower arrangements scattered down the center of the table are easy-to-assemble Thanksgiving centerpieces. Start a fun new place setting tradition this year too – inscribe small silver picture frames with the phrase “I’m thankful for…” Frame individual pictures of guests and place them on each place setting as a truly welcoming way to assign seats. As another extra special touch, make things lively for the children. Make feather headdresses that will keep them interested in the lengthy Thanksgiving meal and have them waiting for them at the kid’s table.

The Place Cards

Instead of using written cards, fill small frames with photos of each guest. Tasia engraved her frames with "Thankful for..." so she can reuse them each year.

Get the Look
Modern Silver-Plated Frame, 3 by 3 inches, $14;potterybarn.com

4 of 7Photo: Iain Bagwell

The Kids' Table

Mimic the adult table but with more kid-friendly picks: pewter julep cups, everyday white plates, and paper napkins and place mats. Wrap napkins with ribbons, and attach feather plumes for a festive headdress.

5 of 7Photo: Iain Bagwell

Favor Idea!

Send guests home with a breakfast treat of bagels and Belle Chèvre fig spread; bellechevre.com.